SECOND ROUND OF CARES ACT SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM APPLICATION PERIOD IS NOW OPEN

MONROE COUNTY, FL – The Monroe County Board of County Commissioners approved a second round of $1 million in CARES Act assistance for small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19 and the application period to apply for the grant is now open. The Monroe County CARES Business Assistance Program consists of a one-time fixed amount grant to qualifying Monroe County-based small businesses with up to 25 employees to aid in their recovery from COVID-19 interruptions.

Business grant amounts will be based on the number of the applicant’s employees as of Feb. 29, 2020. They are as follows:

  • Self-Employed, Sole Proprietors (1 employee): $2,500
  • 2-10 employees: $5,000
  • 11-25 employees: $7,500

Small businesses must be located in Monroe County, unincorporated or in the cities of Key West, Marathon, Islamorada, Key Colony Beach and Layton.

Applications will be accepted and funded based on when a fully completed application is received until the funds are expended on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Round 2 will done completely with an online application. Applications will not be accepted through email or mail.

Business or business owners funded in the first round are not eligible for a second grant or additional funding for any other business they may own as the county would like to help as many affected businesses as possible. Businesses that applied but were not funded in the first round can reapply in the second round.

“We cannot stress enough how important it is to read the information and instructions in the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions document, and to turn in a fully completed application,” said Legislative Affairs Director Lisa Tennyson.

Local chambers of commerce have offered to help any local businesses in their area with application questions, even if they are not members. Contact your local chamber AFTER reading the Guidance and Frequently Asked Questions document. The application, required documents, sample documents, and the guidance and frequently asked questions document can be found at www.monroecounty-fl.gov/bizcares.

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